Sunday, 24 September 2017

The Millennials are probably the biggest spenders these days and their purchasing power is expected to continue as they age. A.k.a. the Generation Y, the Millennials are individuals born in the early 80s until the late 90s to early 2000s. They are often the offspring of older Generation X adults and baby boomers and grew up in a culture of technological progress. Millennials made social media the force it is today because they are comfortable in using it after being exposed to technology at a young age. They are the ones who grew up watching cable television and then came the World Wide Web and the birth of smart technology.

In one survey, 83% of millennials answered that they sleep with their smartphones. That’s how inseparable they are from their gadgets. They are used to living in their virtual life before zoning out and then coming back to reality. Many can’t live without 24/7 access to the Internet and are more likely to log into their various social media accounts on a daily basis too. Facebook happens to be their social media channel of choice and most of them access it on their smartphone rather than on computers or laptops. Aside from using the web to connect with friends, millennials have various uses for the Internet and it involves banking, shopping, business, etc.

The Finnish-based home of Nokia phones - unveiled the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 handsets inSydneyon Tuesday before they hit stores in late-July retailing at a cost of $249, $329 and $399 respectively.

"It's our ambition to be a top global smartphone player within three to five years," HMD ANZ's general manager Mark Trundle told AAP at the launch.

"In order to do that, we need to resonate with a new audience."

Microsoft originally acquired the Nokia brand in 2014, producing Nokia Lumia and Nokia Asha handsets, however HMD Global secured a 10-year deal in 2016 to make Nokia-branded smartphones and tablets.

"We believe the millennial generation are the influencer generation of any age group so that's where we're going to put a lot of focus ... ensuring that they fall in love with the Nokia brand again," Mr Trundle said.

The people from Nokia got it right about millennials. Millennials mainly dictate trends that go around these days and if they can catch their attention, they won’t have a hard time gaining the thumbs-up of other age groups too. After all, Nokia was what started the mobile trend in the past and they may be able to have a shot again at making it big in the smartphone business with the help of tech-savvy millennials who definitely know what they want when it comes to their go-to smartphone.

Nokia is back and it is making some compelling offers with the Nokia 3, 5 and 6 smartphones that include pure Android and two years of security and feature updates - and the unforgettable Nokia ring tone.

Cast you mind back to the 90s when it was a “Nokia” or nothing. Remember its amazing reliability, quality, and keen pricing. Then remember when Microsoft bought the Finnish phone company and finished it.

It has been reborn with a Finnish CEO Arto Nummela and about 600 enthusiasts, many formerly Nokia staff that love the brand and is bringing three models of smartphone toAustraliain July.

Nummela said, “People just fell in love with the brand and what it stands for. Its new owner HMD is a startup that shares the original Nokia passion. It is the people's brand, a trusted brand, and we have to protect that.”

The new Nokia smartphones are very different from earlier Nokia smartphone models released years ago. It’s a testament that under a new management, they’ll be able to revive the Nokia brand and regain the market they once lost to Apple and Samsung. Millennials may get nostalgic over these new phones and buy them as soon as they hit the shelves and that’s exactly the goal of the people behind Nokia today. After all, most Millennials grew up with a Nokia in their hand. If they like the new Nokia today, it’s still highly possible for the new Nokia smartphones to become the household name that it once was and dominate the smartphone scene once more.

Aside from smartphones, computers are also crucial to our lives. Unfortunately, they can also fail us at times and it is more costly than just a smartphone. Most tech issues often point to the hard drive. So, arm yourself with the knowledge you need about hard drive recovery do’s and don’ts here: http://www.harddriverecovery.org/blog/hard-drive-failure-recovery-three-major-user-mistakes/ to limit the damage and pay less for recovery. Although not necessarily a must-know, it helps to learn about http://www.harddriverecovery.org/clean_room.html so you have an idea if you are working with a legit pro who knows how to do their job right and you are not being swindled for your hard-earned money. Millennials won’t have a hard time understanding this, so take your cue from them and learn to embrace technology because they are here to stay for good.

Thursday, 21 September 2017

People can get into a fit when they lose their precious data. Whether it is a photo from a decade ago or your favorite song/movie compilation to really important files and personal documents, your world comes crashing down when you can’t access it anymore. That’s when you realize how important these data are in your life and losing them can have a negative effect on the course your life will take. So now, you make your way to learn more about data recovery if you still want to have your files back or regret not doing so while you still can.

A hard disk failure is often the main reason why data loss happens. At times it can be a system crash or some other unknown cause that caused your data to get lost in the virtual world. At times it’s just the hard drive you can’t reach but it can also be a computer that’s no longer accessible giving you more headache than you can take. But no reason to fully panic just yet because there is still a slim chance you can get your data back if you just know what to do. With the help of some data recovery software or through the expert assistance of a hard drive recovery professional, you’d still be able to retrieve those lost files once more.

When a business of any size encounters a “blackout”, they lose access to the most precious company resource – data. Companies run on data, and firms that don’t want to lose customers or damage their brand should have a process in place for recovering from data loss and quickly moving forward. Thankfully, businesses can take steps to proactively lessen the chance of complete data blackout.

Develop a Detailed Plan

The first move companies should take to protect against a data blackout is to develop a plan. The plan should answer the big questions – what data do we have; where is it; who controls it? Creating a plan forces staff at all levels to think about data as an asset and their role in protecting data. The plan should not only dictate how data is stored and secured, but also categorize the information, for example by separating static data from fluidly-changing data.

There are various causes as to why data loss happens. Accidental or permanent deletions, unrecognized formats, corrupt documents, and many more can leave you data-less for a while or for the long haul. Data loss can have catastrophic effects when it involves important personal/school/work files or documents that you don’t have any backup copy yet. However, data recovery isn’t a laughing matter because one small mistake can cause you all your valuable files, so you have to be doubly careful too when considering this option.

But even so, the risk of losing information persists due to various accidents or problems that can appear. In cases like this, having a handy data recovery software at your disposal can be crucial. Despite their significant importance and how much help they can provide, data recovery tools at overlooked by users of all statures that are afraid of the costs these would imply. However, they are not aware that they can get quality services for free. Free data recovery software is available and can provide tremendous assistance when important files and data seem to be lost forever.

Recovery tools operate by scanning your system and accessing the database which contains all information, old and new. Even if you erase a file, it will still linger in the database. From here, it can be extracted with data recovery software and brought back where it can be accessed and manipulated.

Data recovery isn’t just a personal or corporate issue because it can likewise be helpful in solving a crime like in forensics. Many times criminal suspects intentionally destroy properties to get rid of evidence especially the ones stored in computers. But through data recovery services, crimes are solved and the perpetrators of the crimes are put behind bars as valuable data are recovered that may be used in aid of prosecution. And the cheapest way to recover lost files is through a data recovery service.

Since it is the hard drive that is often the culprit why you suddenly can’t access files stored in your computer or laptop anymore, one of the most common recovery services you can tap is a hard drive recovery service. Check this: http://www.harddriverecovery.org/pricing.html out to find out how much such a service will cost you, so you don’t get ripped off of your hard-earned money by notorious scammers. Meanwhile, learn more about prices for a RAID recovery service: http://www.harddriverecovery.org/raid-pricing.html for business owners or organizations that still use this older server model in their operations. Data recovery services aren’t always cheap but it’s better to spend a little more on these services than say goodbye to your one-of-a-kind data forever.

Monday, 18 September 2017

Technology can leave many people dazed and confused at times because of the numerous technical aspects of this industry. Computers, for instance, are the highlight but there are many other components that are just as important as the end product. We have different uses for computers. It is helpful in doing administrative and clerical tasks in any institution or workplace, even at school. You can surf the web with it and discover all the wonderful things that the Internet has to offer – from social media to the many good things you can use if you are an entrepreneur who wants to take your business to the next level.

Data is a big thing. From photos to videos to important life-changing documents stashed somewhere on your PC’s hard drive, you want 24/7 access to them for when the need arises. And most of the time, your computer cooperates and makes life easy for you. Unfortunately, there is that slim chance when your hard drive will fail you and you can no longer access these precious data you can’t live without. When that happens, data recovery may be your best bet although it’s not a 100% assurance that you can really get your data back. Hence, be wary and observant all the time because there are telltale signs that your computer may be going on a hibernate mode sooner rather than later.

WARNINGS

With almost every component in your PC, you’ll see warning signs of a part going bad and in need of replacement. The hard drive is not an exception. Here are some signs to look out for:

Disappearing files: Files can be lost do to mechanical problems with the disk itself, and in some cases, you’ll be able to tell as the disk usually makes some out-of-the-ordinary noises when things are going haywire.

Computer freezing: A computer freezing is a common occurrence, and it’s almost always solved by a quick reboot. However, if you find that that it’s becoming more and more frequent, your hard drive could be on its last leg.

Corrupted data: If you’ve downloaded and installed files without a hitch, but suddenly out of nowhere, files have become corrupt, it’s possible that your hard drive is experiencing a gradual failure.

Bad sectors: A sector on a hard drive stores a certain amount of data accessible by the user. There are two types of sectors, a hard and soft sector. In most cases, Windows is able to repair a soft bad sector, as it’s almost always related to a software mishap. Formatting the drive will almost always fix this. But, if it’s a hard bad sector, this indicates physical damage, which can not be repaired.

Your hard drive may have bad, corrupted, or damaged sectors preventing you from gaining access to files/data stored within. You may be able to remedy such a situation but a mechanical hard drive failure is almost always a lost cause. Fortunately, the warning signs mentioned above can give you an idea of the state of your hard drive’s health and whether there is a reason for you to worry at all.

Running Chkdsk on an Unbootable Hard Drive

If you are unable to reach the Windows 10 desktop, you can try booting into the Windows 10 recovery environment, launch the command prompt, then schedule chkdsk there.

Turn your computer on and off three times while booting. Make sure you shut down the computer when you see the Windows logo. After the third time, Windows 10 will boot into diagnostics mode. Click Advanced options when the recovery screen appears. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options then click Command Prompt. Proceed to enter the chkdskcommands: chkdsk /r /f then hit <Enter>.

What if you are not able to boot into Windows 10 at all? Some manufacturers include drive checking tools built into the computer’s BIOS. On my HP desktop, I was able to initiate the hard drive self-testing utility called Drive Protection System (DPS) Self Test.

If you are a Windows user and you have upgraded to the latest Windows 10 OS, those tips were just some quick ways to find out how well your hard drive is doing. You can see its overall status to give you an idea whether it will fail you anytime soon. So to spare yourself from the hassles of data recovery, better to back up your data now while you still can access it rather than panic when the day comes that it’s no longer accessible on your drive.

Monday, 11 September 2017

Data makes the world go round. Most of us don’t realize it yet but that is the hard-hitting truth. Data is precious that we’d move heaven and earth to get it back once we lose it whatever the reason may be. However, dealing with technology is a tricky matter. One simple mistake can wipe out all your data in an instant and there is no other way for you to get it back. People often panic right away when they can’t access their hard drive especially when they need to find something in that instant. But panicking often leads to more costly mistakes that were avoidable if you only stayed level-headed the entire time.

The most common cause for hard drive failure is software-related and the second one does not have anything to do with you but on the hard drive itself. However, you should not just mess up with hard drives if you have no idea what you are doing because you might inflict more damage than what was previously. There are different ways to fixing it depending on the extent and the nature of the problem. But should you take your chance in fixing it to save a few dollars? It’s up to you on how confident you are on your technical skills but here are some DIY tips for the brave at heart.

Some less technical and slightly more unconventional DIY recovery process that are also becoming a popular safety net in the event of data loss or hard drive failure are home remedies. The oldest trick in the book is the constant restarting of the device in the hope that it will fix itself. The repeated rebooting may actually cause further damage. We always recommend stopping using the device but it is best practice to switch off (once) and call a reputable computer repair or data recovery company.

It can get a bit more extreme than that though. An urban legend once said that leaving your hard drive in the freezer or refrigerator will fix it. This is not true at all. By doing this the only thing that you will achieve is a frozen and broken hard drive. Other comical home myths include hanging your device out ‘to dry’ if liquid gets in, leaving your device is rice to draw the liquid out (although this won’t cause further damage it also will not solve the issue), and lastly leaving a device in an airing cupboard (this may in fact contribute to the damage due to the humidity in this environment).

We cannot deny that we have all been there when we panic to try and save our data and deciphering whether a myth will actually help get it back or make the situation worse is always difficult. It is our natural reaction to do all that we can to help save our data but, like the technical DIY ‘fixes’, sometimes this can cause more harm than good.

Attempting a DIY approach to a hard drive failure problem also depends on the amount and type of data stored within. If they aren’t that precious to you and you don’t mind losing them in the unfortunate circumstance of your attempt going haywire, then feel free to open it up and fix it to the best of your ability.

If you want to spare yourself from all the hassles of data recovery at all, make sure you backup your data so you won’t go crazy if you can’t access the original file on your PC. You can always get to your backup file especially when the time is of the essence. Remember that prevention is better than cure and it does not only apply to your health but to technology too.

DIY methods

When you’ve lost data, it’s very tempting to take matters into your own hands and attempt to do something yourself. While it might seem like a good idea at the time, DIY methods can often lead to further accidental damage and even permanent data loss. Instead of using DIY methods try contacting your IT specialist or reputable data recovery specialist first – a good provider will give you all of the options based on the situation and advise if it is safe for you to try DIY software methods. If you’d like more information about why DIY data recovery can be a bad idea, check out this article.

Open your hard drive

Last but not least, you should never attempt to open your device yourself. Unless you are an experienced data recovery specialist in a cleanroom environment, you are almost always going to cause more damage, no matter how careful you are. For spinning hard drives, even microscopic dust particles can have a catastrophic effect on your device and can destroy data that could have been saved by a professional. Like many DIY methods, it’s tempting to try them, but this is something you should always leave for the specialists.

Refrain from panicking once you realize your data is lost. That is the first rule you have to keep in mind. What you should do is to assess the situation and try to remember what warning signals have you failed to recognize in the last few days. You are only advised to dabble with DIY solutions to hard drive failure if you somehow have a basic understanding of computers especially that of hard drive systems. If you don’t, it is almost always better to consult a professional who can get to the bottom of the issue with no sweat at all.

Professional assistance comes at a price, though. Not everyone charges the same and you might end up dealing with scammers who are only interested in your money rather than in helping you at all. Check out this link http://www.harddriverecovery.org/pricing.html to find out more about data recovery pricing, so you don’t get duped in case you encounter this problem in the future. For RAID recovery, http://www.harddriverecovery.org/raid-pricing.html may come in handy. If you want professional help without breaking the bank, just give us a call and we’ll be there to help you get your lost data back.

Monday, 4 September 2017

We live in a generation ruled by smartphones and smart gadgets. We live and breathe the Internet every single day of our lives. You can hardly see anyone who hasn’t been bitten by social media just yet. From the young to the old, we all likely have an existing social media account and dedicate time for it almost every day to stay updated on the trending news and featured stories in the Internet of Things.

Wherever you are in the world, you’d likely see people obsessed with their smartphones and smart gadgets. It’s a given. They tinker with it every day and can’t live without it. It actually is an understatement considering how hooked almost everyone are with it. Apple may have introduced this smart technology to the world but many companies have now joined in on the bandwagon and have released their own versions of smartphones that are supposed to equal the sophistication of a an iOS smartphone or provide the flexibility and mass appeal of its Android version.

Huawei, the Chinese smartphone maker, is closing in on Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Samsung Electronics (SSNFL) in the smartphone market, narrowing the gap in sales during the first quarter of this year.
That’s according to research firm Gartner, which is out with a new report looking at sales of mobile phones for the first three months of 2017. While Samsung took back the top spot with unit shipments of 78.7 million and Apple was in second with close to 52 million units shipped, Huawei was growing closer with 34.2 million units shipped, controlling 9% of the market. That compares to 8.3% share for Huawei in the year-ago first quarter. Samsung holds a 20.7% market share while Apple is at 13.7%, according to the research firm.

"The top three Chinese smartphone manufacturers are driving sales with their competitively priced, high quality smartphones equipped with innovative features," said Anshul Gupta, research director at Gartner, in a press release introducing the research. "Furthermore, aggressive marketing and sales promotion have further helped these brands to take share from other brands in markets such asIndia,IndonesiaandThailand."

There is still continued growth in the sales of smartphone units all over the globe. People these days are looking for a smart gadget that offer various features that fit their changing lifestyle, something only a smart device can offer. Even the older population own a smart gadget too mainly to stay connected with family and close friends but many of them aren’t willing to spend a fortune unlike their younger counterparts. Hence, Chinese smartphones are the excellent choice because they offer the same features at a fraction of the price. Many people are also noticing how these Chinese counterparts are almost at par with the Western originals, hence the increase in sales in Chinese smartphone units.

Apple and Samsung are fast losing share in the smartphone market to a group of Chinese upstart ­rivals that now account for nearly a quarter of all global sales.

New figures from Gartner, the research group, suggest that to maintain growth Apple and Samsung are having to rely on replacement sales to existing customers in mature markets, as new users in emerging markets turn to cheaper Chinese rivals.

Gartner research director Anshul Gupta said consumers in China and emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific no longer saw the need to spend $US800 ($1000) on an iPhone now that there were high-quality alternatives available at less than half the price.

“For Apple it’s no longer about targeting first-time, entry-level customers, it’s about capturing the replacement market. The trick for them will be in finding ways to keep users of the iOS operating system tied to Apple,” he said.

Despite the continued growth in the smartphone industry, there is little growth on the two biggest names in this sector – Apple and Samsung. Chinese competitors are proving to be a big hurdle to their continued dominance in the industry as people are wiser now and would not just purchase an item simply because of its brand. For years now, we have all been witness to the steady rise of the Chinese superpower. They are the second largest and most powerful economy in the world next to the United States and most manufacturing firms have its roots in China. No wonder that most of the stuffs we buy have that tiny label in it that says, “Made in China”.